Zamonia was a lot more arid than Torpha, that was for sure.

The sun beamed down freely, trees offering little protection as they combed through shrubs and ferns. Mr. Xan was practically fuming the entire time. Sasha offered to sit on his shoulders, acting like a living sunhat. That at least cheered him up a bit.

Kairo swung his spear, cutting through vines and overgrown webbing. Despite his slim frame, Sasha knew a polearm aficionado when she saw them. They were lucky they ran into him. Even with signals guiding them, the place was a mess of green and blue. All the trees and bushes seemed to mold together after a while, even the wildlife blending in seamlessly with the rest of the jungle. She nearly had a heart attack upon seeing a fanged creature watching her from the top of a tree, its teal fur making it invisible to the world.

"So what do you know of the Light Binder?" Mr. Erin asked. "It would be useful to hear from a worshipper's perspective."

"I'm not sure my opinions would be very worthy to share," the giant said.

"Nonsense. Everyone has the right to free expression."

Kairo seemed to relax at that. Sasha let out a small hiss, the fanged creature continuing to watch from afar.

"I know the legends," the giant said. "He and his servants came down centuries ago to aid our people. It's because of them we have food to eat. Wine to drink. The Light Binder provides gifts in all aspects of our lives."

"Sounds like a classy guy," Mr. Xan said, which earned him an elbow from Mr. Erin. Sasha sped up, falling in step beside Kairo.

"Have you ever seen the Light Binder in person?" she asked.

"I wish I was so lucky. I've looked forward to the day I'd take the throne just so I could meet him. But I am third in line. Meeting his servants is more than I ever thought I'd achieve. It truly is an honor."

He smiled at that, though Sasha couldn't quite share his enthusiasm. Lying was never her strong suit. And hearing how Kairo spoke of the man who might have single-handedly destroyed her home...Even if the pieces didn't quite fit, the idea alone put a bad taste in her mouth. They finally stopped walking, the jungle parting as they came to a section of grassland mired by numerous giant men and women. All were sporting similar furs and thin frames as Kairo. He extended out a hand.

"Here it is," he said. "The Azonia clan in all its glory."

Several of the giants turned towards them, going from curious gazes to outright shock in seconds.

Azonia clan territory was marked by structures just as large as the people, their tops covered in thick green roofing that seemed to be molded from grass and leaves. The dens almost resembled caves, doors and windows non-existent. Instead, the people peeled back the straw-like walls to enter. Sasha squinted at them, the comet non-existent on most of the giant's necks. As Kairo led them forward, though, she did spot a small group who bore the insignias. They all screamed when they spotted the four.

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"Kairo!"

The giants rushed over, nearly trampling Sasha and co as they pulled Kairo into a hug. Cripes. Sasha backed away, the strangers all rubbing against their guide. He broke away, he and the giants devolving into slightly pitched screeches. Whatever language it was, Mr. Erin seemed to listen to it intently. One of the giants gestures to them, Kairo jumping.

"Oh! My manners." He motioned to the three of them. "Servants of the Light Binder. These are my sisters."

His hand rose over each of the strangers.

"This is Yuffimia. That's Elden. This is Amari. That's Cuya. And this is Olishia. They're the Princesses of the Azonia Clan."

The girls all bowed as their names were given, Sasha scanning over each. The princesses were a tad shorter than Kairo, with the exception of Elden, who stood taller than anyone they'd seen crossing through the jungle. Cuya and Olishia seemed the youngest, both huddling close to Amari who gently stroked their heads. They reminded Sasha too much of her old denmates. It was Yuffimia who was the most difficult to get a read on, though. Mostly because she hid her face behind a fanged mask.

"So the King's been busy," Mr. Xan said, earning another elbow in the process. Mr. Erin flashed him a look of warning before returning to his 'civilian face', offering a smile and a bow.

"Please to meet you all. By any chance have you five encountered the Light Binder?"

They collectively shook their heads. All except Yuffimia.

"Only in dreams," the masked giant said.

"Dreams?"

Kairo stepped in front of her. "Please ignore her, my lords. Yuffi's is rather...slow." He chattered something over his shoulder, which the princess snapped back at. Kairo immediately turned on his sister, the two going back and forth in their pitched language. Sasha couldn't help but smile. She'd forgotten how much she missed that. While the two went at it, Amari knelt down to at least Mr. Xan's level.

"May I ask why servants of the Light Binder are visiting?" the princess questioned. "While we do value your appearance, I fear it may herald something greater. Are you simply here to speak to the faithful?"

"More or less, yeah," Sasha said. "Don't worry. We just wanna find out who the Light Binder is. To you guys, I mean. Think of us as tourists here to check in. And to take out the monsters popping up."

Kairo and Yuffimia finished arguing, the former clearing his throat while the latter adjusted her mask.

"Ahem." Kairo straightened. "My lords, I assure you the Azonia clan has not forgotten the Light Binder's mercy. If it is a simple question of faith, the temples will surely alleviate your concerns."

Yuffimia fixed her furs. "They have been maintained as your people decreed, my lords. Kairo, I trust you'll lead them there without incident."

He chattered something back, but it was ignored as Yuffimia bowed, the others doing the same. Sasha and co bowed back, a group of giants wandering over then to pull the princesses away. None of which had comets. Sasha watched them leave with interest, the chattering resuming albeit in slightly lower tones. It didn't take a translator to know who they were talking about.

Kairo sighed, the giant taking the lead once again.

"Apologies for that," he said. "This way, my lords. The Temple of Wuina and the Temple of Berrith await."

They all fell in step behind him, Sasha noting several giants watching their departure. Many of which chattered in the same low tones.